Concussion from a Car Accident or Other Wreck?

Nashville Brain Injury Lawyer Represents Concussion and Whiplash Claims

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head, whiplash, a fall or other accident that shakes the brain inside the skull. This causes bruising and potentially permanent damage to the brain tissue, which may have a variety of negative effects. These may range from “mild” symptoms, like persistent headaches and dizziness, to “severe” symptoms like blackouts, confusion and emotional changes. Multiple concussions are even more dangerous, and can cause lifelong impairment, severe depression and more. After suffering a concussion from a car accident or any circumstance, it is critical that you immediately seek medical attention. There are often no visible signs of a concussion and a swift diagnosis can help prevent more severe symptoms.

If you suffer a concussion from a car accident or other circumstance, then the insurance adjuster may try to dismiss your injury as minor, minimizing your compensation. However, a concussion is a brain injury which can seriously impact your life. Nashville brain injury lawyer Stanley A. Davis can help you fight for the full compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages related to the accident.

What Types of Accidents Can Cause a Concussion?

The brain is a soft organ surrounded by spinal fluid, which acts like a cushion that keeps the brain from hitting the skull. However, if your head encounters an extreme force, then your brain can impact your skull. This causes bruising of the brain tissue and disruption of the nerve endings. Any accident that causes head trauma or whiplash can result in a concussion, including:

• Car accidents. Car crashes are one of the most common causes of concussions and whiplash. The force of the wreck can cause a motorist’s head to hit the seat back, wheel or dashboard. However, even if your head hits nothing, you may still sustain a concussion from a car accident if you suffer whiplash. This occurs when the momentum of your body changes dramatically, causing your head to whip back or forward.
• Truck accidents. Since trucking accidents are often more serious than regular motor vehicle accidents, the risk of a traumatic brain injury like a concussion is higher.
• Motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists are particularly at risk for concussions and traumatic brain injuries because they lack the protective shell of a car. This risk increases dramatically if riders do not wear a helmet.
• Slip and fall accidents. Falls are a leading cause of concussions, especially in the elderly.
• Construction Accidents. Falls and/or impact by falling objects on a construction site can cause head trauma and concussions. This is especially dangerous if contractors and construction companies fail to provide workers with adequate safety gear, such as hard hats.
• Sporting accidents. Full contact sports like football place players at an increased risk for concussions and possibly multiple concussions. This is doubly dangerous for child athletes, whose brains have not yet fully developed.

What are the Symptoms of a Concussion?

A severe concussion commonly causes a loss of consciousness, but milder injuries may not be apparent until several hours or days after the initial head trauma. The most common symptoms of a concussion, which range in severity, include:

• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Fatigue

Fortunately, most people recover from concussions with rest, though it may take three full days or more of complete rest for your brain to return to normal. However, in rare cases, concussions can cause serious medical issues like sleep disruption, chronic depression and other disorders. Repeated concussions or a severe concussion may require surgery or cause lifelong complications with mobility, learning or speaking.

Is Whiplash a Concussion? What to Know About Whiplash after a Car Accident

Whiplash typically results from rear-end car crashes. If your car is hit from behind by another vehicle. Then it will usually lurch violently, causing your head to suddenly move backward and then forward. This is similar to the motion of someone cracking a whip. Such abrupt movement in opposing directions usually causes the brain to hit the inside of the skull. So, while whiplash is not technically a concussion, these two conditions often occur together.

Whiplash is a traumatic injury that damages neck muscles, neck ligaments and spinal discs. It can be mild or severe. Mild whiplash cases can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications. However, some victims develop chronic pain after a whiplash injury that results in long-term effects. This can then affect the victim’s quality of life. Therefore, it is possible to recover compensation for the damages related to whiplash and/or concussion through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

Diagnosed with a Concussion from a Car Accident? Contact a Nashville Attorney Today

The symptoms of concussions and whiplash are not outwardly apparent, so insurance companies often try to dismiss them as minor or even nonexistent. However, the pain and other effects can have a serious impact on your life. A Nashville brain injury can help you get fair compensation for these injuries.

Nashville concussion injury lawyer Stanley Davis cares for his clients from the moment they contact him. Contact our brain injury attorney about your case for a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Tennessee, including Murfreesboro, Gallatin and Franklin.